Our Veracruz & Eastern Sierras Extension takes in some of the major highlights of the Lower Gulf of Mexico, covering the towns of Xalapa for such delights as Stricklands Woodpecker, Rufous-naped Wren, Mexican Sheartail, Canivet’s Emerald and the elusive Bearded Wood Partridge before heading to Tuxtepec and Valle Nacional for Sumichrast’s Wren, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, White-faced Quail-Dove, the incredibly rare Dwarf Jay and Red Warbler.
Top Birds
Strickland's Woodpecker, Rufous-naped Wren, Mexican Sheartail, Canivet’s Emerald, Bearded Wood Partridge, Sumichrast’s & White-bellied Wren, Slate-colored Solitaire, Long-billed Thrasher, White-Naped Brushfinch, Bronze-winged Woodpecker, Azure-crowned Hummingbird, Wedge-tailed Sabrewing, Blue-capped & Lesson’s Motmot, Gartered Trogon, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Emerald-chinned and Stripe-tailed Hummingbird, Barred Parakeet, Black-faced Antthrush, Azure-hooded and Unicolored Jay, Blue-crowned Chlorophonia, Berylline Hummingbird, Dwarf Jay (rare)
Habitats Covered
semi-deciduous tropical forest, shade grown coffee, subtropical cloud forest, pine oak forest, volcanic slopes, wetlands
Expected Climate
hot with varying levels of humidity, can get chilly at higher elevations
Max Group Size
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader
Tour Pace & Walking
relaxed
Accommodation
comfortable
Ease of Birding
easy birding with some tough species
Photographic Opportunities
good to excellent
David was brilliant, as usual, and the Mexican guides were also exceptional, making for a really good tour. Great country, fabulous birds, would like to go back.
"We are pleased to report on our recent Rockjumper birding adventure after spending four weeks (March 22 - April 17) exploring many of Mexico’s best birding sites during back-to-back trips to the states of Veracruz, Oaxaca and Chiapas. We were guided by Rockjumper’s Adam Walleyn and his local contact, Eric. Adam guided us in previous trips to Papua New Guinea, Madagascar, Cuba, Jamaica and Dominican Republic, and we have always been impressed by his worldwide birding expertise and his knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, all wildlife. Eric (a Mexican, living in Oaxaca, and fluent in English) has intimate knowledge of literally every bird species that resides in or migrates through Mexico - over 900 species. We slept well and ate extravagantly. Our drivers did an outstanding job of driving safely and minimizing the discomforts of numerous speed bumps and potholes. We birded in a diversity of landscapes that varied from sea level (during a morning coastal/pelagic cruise), to a mangrove forest, to desert scrub and to cloud forests where elevations were over 8000 feet. The highlight of our trip was, of course, the wildlife. We recorded a total of almost 500 bird species during the three trips - 20 of those were heard only. But with Eric’s guidance we had an exceptional opportunity to absorb Mexican culture. We visited ancient stone ruins, enjoyed delicious meals in small village homes (fincas) of farmers and coffee growers, and were pleased to view the products of skilled woodworkers and potters. Adam and Eric did their best to ensure that everyone in our diverse group saw every bird that we encountered. Everyday we were amazed by their skill in spotting and hearing birds and getting their scopes on the birds so that all could see. Their warmth and passion were felt and appreciated by all. We never felt threatened or insecure during our month-long trip. Mask wearing in Mexico is a law with near 100% compliance, including outdoors (our group complied when outside the van). We had no heath issues associated with food and drinks. "
Adam Walleyn was an excellent guide, extremely knowledgeable, friendly and well organized. Our local guide is one of the best local guides I have known on a birding tour – intimately familiar with the birds of Mexico, their habits and habitats. Consequently we were successful in finding and seeing many of the challenging endemic birds of the Oaxaca and Huatulco areas.
Our tour leaders produced a very successful tour. They worked together well and their skills complemented each other. Chris's education and experience provided us with a plethora of knowledge and fun facts. His personnel skills were put to the test with quite a diverse group of birders with an assortment of desires. He succeeded well. One could not ask for a better local guide than Eric. He knows every nook and cranny of his turf. He knows the birds well and multiple sites to look for each species. He has very good eyes and ears. But for me, his strongest characteristic is his genuine desire to find every target for the group. His persistence is unmatched. It paid off several times. I enjoyed the trip.
Our trip, a long time in the waiting, was nothing short of a triumph. David led us again with passion, interest and focus. Jorge, our local guide. and his wife Amy who joined us were a triumph leading us to, and putting us on many many lifers. The travel arrangements were well made, the hotels were comfortable and the meals copious. Our first trip to Mexico will most certainly not be our last. Roll on the Yucatan!